always behind, not fluent, weakened 9th
chased leaders, blundered 8th, weakened next
chased winner throughout, effort when hit 3 out, edged right, kept on under pressure from last
chased leaders, weakened 6 out
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Akilak has the ability to win this contest but Howard Johnson's gelding has yet to translate his hurdles form to fences, invariably finding at least one too good, and he looks worth taking on with Ballyvoge who gets the vote ahead of Allegedly So. The last mentioned has shown better form over hurdles this term and could be of interest on his chasing debut. Lord Samposin has only been placed once in six starts so makes little appeal, while Contendo would need to improve on all known form to trouble the judge. Preference then is for Ballyvoge, who has shown a decent level of form over hurdles and now over fences and he is taken to open his account over the larger obstacles today.
Allegedly So (IRE) 15-2 (10-4) Held up, outpaced 8th, never on terms, 8th of 13, well behind Mumbles Head (11-7) at Perth 3m 3f cnd hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs.
Ballyvoge (IRE) 10-3 (11-0) With leader, led 3rd, ridden 4 out, headed towards finish, 2nd of 9, 3l behind Monolith (11-0) at Carlisle 2m 4f beg chs (4) sft in Mar.
Fred Bojangals (IRE) 66-1 (11-3) Keen early, in touch, ridden 5th, lost place 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off, 15th of 16, well behind Realism (11-3) at Newcastle 2m mdn hdl (5) gs in Feb.
Lord Samposin 150-1 (10-9) With leader, outpaced 5 out, 17 lengths 2nd when blundered 2 out, soon lost place, 3rd of 8, 18l behind Flying Falcon (10-11) at Carlisle 2m 4f nov chs (3) gs in Mar.
Nicky Tam (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, outpaced when blundered and unseated rider 3 out in race won by Reckless Venture (10-6) at Hexham 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-95 (5) hvy in Mar, 12 ran.
Akilak (IRE) 9-4 (11-6) Held up in touch, weakened 10th, tailed off when pulled up 5 out in race won by Double Eagle (11-0) at Ayr 2m 4f nov chs (3) hvy in Feb, 5 ran.
Contendo 5-1 (9-13) Mid-division, ridden 4th, soon lost place, weakened 4 out, 6th of 12, 46l behind Oleolat (10-5) at Ayr 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) hvy in Mar.
Tully Hill 33-1 (10-7) Led to 3rd, chased leaders until weakened 3 out, tailed off from next, 7th of 11, well behind Raysrock (10-4) at Hexham 2m mdn hdl (4) hvy in Mar.
